International Center for Environmental
Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas
International EMECS Center

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Utilization of Experiment Facility in Amagasaki port

Utilization of Experiment Facility in Amagasaki port

With the aim of revitalizing the environment in the inner part of Osaka Bay, where water quality, bottom quality, and habitat deterioration have occurred, the International EMECS Center constructed artificial tidal flats, rafts, and eco-system seawalls at the port of Amagasaki funded by the subsidy from the Ministry of the Environment, and conducted a demonstration experiment (“Packaging of the Optimal Environmental Restoration Technology in enclosed coastal seas” project) between FY2001 and FY2003. After the end of the project, these facilities have been effectively used for research and environmental education activities.

(1) Utilization for research activities by researchers (since FY2001)

To research organizations conducting research activities on the supply of nutrients by material cycling through organisms living in the artificial tidal flats, we provide the experimental facilities at the Port of Amagasaki as research field to promote research activities by researchers.

(2) Utilization for environmental education (since FY2015-*)

We support environmental learning by providing the demonstration facilities at the Port of Amagasaki as a field for those who conduct environmental education activities.
*For information on environmental education between FY2001 and FY2013, please refer to the Environmental Education.

FYNumber of activitiesNumber of peopleRemarks
202000No results due to COVID-19
20195120
201810210
201713293
201610171
2015251
201400Renovation of the facilities

Background and Objectives

The pollutant load from lifestyle and industrial activities has caused environmental deterioration in the Seto Inland Sea, Osaka Bay and other enclosed coastal seas in Japan. This has resulted in red tides and oxygen-deficient water masses that have created extensive areas where sea creatures cannot live.
To resolve environmental problems, many people — not only specialists and government officials but private citizens including children — must learn about, be aware of and understand these problems, and then consider solutions and act to implement them. In order to promote efforts relating to environmental problems in the ocean, it is important for people to actually come in contact with and experience the ocean so they can gain an understanding of ocean environments.
Using training facilities located off the coast of Amagasaki that are owned by the International EMECS Center, programs for elementary and junior high school students and the general public are held to teach people about the functions of the ocean, the function and role of the shallows, the current state of Osaka Bay and Amagasaki Bay, and the living creatures that inhabit the ocean. These hands-on educational activities give people the opportunity to learn about, come into direct contact with and think carefully about the ocean.

    1.Hands-On Training Seminar on the Marine Environment in the Seto Inland Sea (FY 2001 and FY 2002)

    Along with the technical development and policy execution efforts that are currently underway, it is important to provide opportunities for the general public to join researchers and others in coming in contact with and learning about ocean environments, and to upgrade the content of these programs.
    Accordingly, seminars consisting of lectures, symposiums and experience-based learning in actual ocean settings were held in FY 2001 and FY 2002.

    2.Practical Environmental Training Program in the Amagasaki Coastal Zone (FY2002 – FY2013)

    Using facilities such as the “Tidal Flats, Rocky Seashore and Lagoon” located in the Amagasaki coastal zone and operated by the International EMECS Center, programs were held for elementary and junior high school students and members of the general public in the Osaka-Kobe region. Located in inner Osaka Bay, Amagasaki is an area that has lost much of its natural environment. The programs were held to teach participants about the functions of the ocean, the function and role of the shallows, the current state of Osaka Bay and Amagasaki Bay, and the living creatures that inhabit the ocean. Led by researchers who are on the front line of ocean research and development in Japan, these hands-on educational activities were held as the Nippon Foundation subsidy program between FY2002 and FY2004 and gave participants the opportunity to learn about, come into direct contact with and think carefully about the ocean. After the end of the subsidy program, the practical environmental training program continued to be held until FY2013.

    Environmental Education Photograph